Collectibles and Curiosities
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Collectibles and Curiosities For Sale
Aircraft Engine Gold Speaker
Located in Paris, FR
Speaker Aircraft Engine Gold is inspired by radial aircraft engines
from early 20th-century radial aircraft engines. Structure in aluminum
alloy wi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum, Gold Plate, Chrome
$50,975
Antique Japanese Damascene Cigarette Case with Ornate Mt. Fuji & Dragon Decor
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique cigarette case is unsigned by the maker, but presumed to have originated from Japan and date to approximately 1920 and done in the perio...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Map of Arkansas
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Arkansas'. Original antique map of Arkansas, United States. This print originates from 'Encyclopaedia Britannica', Ninth Edition. P...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$275 Sale Price
20% Off
Art Deco Chrome Lighted Smoker's Stand or Ashtray with Electric Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Art Deco styled lighted smoker's stand is unsigned but presumed to have been made in the United States in the 1950s. The stand features a light at the top and base made of swirled glass of orange and cream hues to replicate alabaster which emits a warm glow when lit. The central post is also accented with a marbled and tapered, possibly alabaster cylinder which is separated by a chrome ring. The top features two removable ashtray cups and a covered tobacco canister...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique English Victorian Decanter Humidor Games Box Compendium
Located in Northampton, GB
Dating to the late 19th Century Circa 1900
From our Games Boxes collection, we are delighted to offer this Victorian Entertainment Compendium. The Compendiu...
Category
Early 20th Century British Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany, Cedar
Edward F. Caldwell Gothic Style Jeweled Champleve Enamel Antique Folio Cover
Located in New York, NY
A very rare, fine large Edward F. Caldwell jeweled champleve enamel folio cover in the High Gothic Style. The central panel depicting a King on a white horse holding a large orb with a snake symbol, surrounded by exquisitely detailed Gothic heraldic elements and jeweled embellishments. Burgundy velvet lined interior, retaining original leather backing and spine, wear commensurate with age, ideal for a museum or private collection.
Measurements: 13.63 inches high, 11 inches wide, 1 inch deep
Condition: the enamel panel is in excellent condition, age appropriate wear to velvet, leather and interior pages. Please note, the enamel panel may be removed and mounted on a modern folio if desired. This piece may be framed or displayed as a decorative panel on a stand
Edward F. Caldwell & Co was established in 1895 in New York City at 31 East 17th Street and quickly became one of the premier designers and manufacturers of fine lighting and decorative objects. Their commissions included J.P. Morgan's residence, Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Vanderbilt Mansion, Henry Clay Frick residence, Harvard Club...
Category
Early 20th Century American Gothic Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Enamel
Rare and Important Renaissance "Judaica" Carved Oak Wood Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
A Rare and Important Renaissance "Judaica" Carved Oak Wood Cabinet, circa 1680
We are pleased to present a rare and important Renaissance Judaica c...
Category
17th Century German Renaissance Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Oak
$75,000 Sale Price
52% Off
Small Antique Baedeker's South Eastern France Guide Book, Provence, Travel Maps
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a delightful antique edition of Baedeker's South Eastern France guide book, complete with superb fold-out maps, centre-fold maps and informative text. A bound and intact late...
Category
Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Anatomical model: a human skull model life size, Stuttgard, Germany 1930.
Located in Milan, IT
Human skull anatomical model life size 1:1 Model with cranial sutures detachable 2 parts plus three cervical vertebrae for medical educational aid. The skull and vertebrae are made o...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
1999-2007 The Harry Potter Series
By J.K. Rowling
Located in Bath, GB
A striking set of the complete deluxe editions of the 'Harry Potter' series, beautiful editions published from 1999-2007. 'Goblet of Fire' signed by J. K. Rowling.
The first deluxe ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Taxidermy Black Hairy Clawed Cochin Chicken
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Taxidermy Black Hairy Clawed Cochin Chicken, a stunning representation of the Cochin breed, which boasts a rich history dating back to the 1840s and 1850s when large feathe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Feathers
India by Beny Rolloff and Aubrey Menen 1st Edition Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
India. Designed and Photographed by Roloff Beny. Essay by Aubrey Menen. First Edition
Title: Roloff Beny: India
Publisher: McGraw-Hill, New York
Publication Date: 1969
Binding: H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
American Nautical Yacht Ensign Flag
Located in Norwell, MA
Framed American yacht ensign flag. Nautical flag with a blue panel that has an embroidered fouled anchor and thirteen stars, and red and white stripes with a canvas hoist and brass g...
Category
1960s North American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
Gold jewel walking stick with garnet stone. By Antoine Bricteux, France 1901.
By Antoine Bricteux
Located in Milan, IT
Walking stick: jeweled walking stick with a gold milord knob and faceted garnet stones, depicting clovers. engraved with a dedication Noèl, a date 1910 and a noble coat of arms of th...
Category
Early 20th Century French Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone, Metal, Gold
Antique Map of Spain and Portugal by Barlow, 1809
Located in Langweer, NL
"Antique map titled 'Spain and Portugal from the best Authorities'. Detailed antique map of Spain and Portugal. This map originates from 'The Gen...
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$76 Sale Price
20% Off
1970s Pal Kepenyes Brutalist Brass Cuff Bracelet Milagros
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
1970s Pal Kepenyes Brass Bracelet Cuff Milagros Series
Brutalist inspired
3h x 2.25 w x 1.75
Signed at bottom
Original vintage unrestored condition.
Refer to images
Category
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Box of 6 Le Cirque N.Y. Branded Custom Villeroy & Boch 6 1/4" Plates
Located in Bridgeport, CT
From pasta primavera to world-renowned decadent desserts, Le Cirque's ubiquitous reputation for presenting its fine dining fare with whimsy and fun, landed it on the map of must-dine...
Category
20th Century German Hollywood Regency Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
Rare 18th Century Equatorial Sundial And Compass By Johann Nepomuk Schrettegger
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Rare 18th Century Equatorial Sundial And Compass By Johann Nepomuk Schrettegger,"
Rare 18th-Century Equinoctial Sundial & Compass by Johann Nepomuk Schrettegger, Augsburg
Maker: Joh...
Category
18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
T. E. LAWRENCE - Seven Pillars Of Wisdom - 1935 - FIRST TRADE EDITION
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: LAWRENCE, T. E.
TITLE: Seven Pillars Of Wisdom. A Triumph.
PUBLISHER: London: Jonathan Cape, 1935.
DESCRIPTION: FIRST TRADE EDITION. 1 vol., 4to., 10" x 8", Illustrated throughout with a photogravure portrait frontispiece of Lawrence from the plaster bust, 47 plates, 4 folding maps, and several in-text line drawings; the majority by Eric Kennington...
Category
1930s British Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Space Age Vintage Orange Plastic Metal Chair 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Pop Art vintage plastic metal chair from a sports stadium in Vienna shows a steel frame and an orange plastic seat shell. The seat shell is plastered...
Category
1970s Austrian Space Age Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Glass scientific instrument: Crookes maltese cross tube, Italy 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Blown glass scientific instrument. An example of the Crookes tube with Maltese Cross, in chromed metal, a precursor to the cathode ray tube. It was used t...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Group of 8 Antique Leather Bound Books, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Group of 8 Antique Leather Bound Books, 19th Century. Books are in different languages and sizes
Category
19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century English Leather Bound Family Bible with Brass Mounts and Clasps
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful antique Holy Book was printed in England circa 1870. The impressive Victorian family Bible, titled "The National Comprehensive Family Bible", was edited by Rev. John E...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Dracula by Bram Stoker, First Grosset & Dunlap Edition, 1927
By Bram Stoker
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Stroker, Bram. Dracula. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [1927]. First Grosset & Dunlap Edition. 8ov. Presented in original orange cloth boards, stamped in black, and the original pictorial dust jacket. With a new archival ¼ leather and cloth clamshell case.
Presented is the first Grosset & Dunlay edition of Bram Stroker’s Dracula, published in 1927. The book is presented in its original orange cloth boards, stamped in black, and the original pictorial dust jacket. The book has a new archival quarter leather and cloth clamshell case, with raised bands, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, and an inlay of the dust jacket design on the front.
Dracula is a gothic horror novel written by Irish author Bram Stoker. The story follows the efforts of Professor Abraham Van Helsing and others to defeat the vampire Count...
Category
1920s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
$2,250 Sale Price
23% Off
Design Impact, A History of Art Center College of Design Alumni Vision Culture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Design Impact - A History of Art Center College of Design Alumni Vision culture.
A History of Art Center College of Design and the Myriad Ways its Alum...
Category
20th Century American Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Large 19th Century English Brass Scale with Weights and Bull Finial
Located in Atlanta, GA
This monumental 19th-century English brass scale presents a rare double-tiered configuration, combining technical function with sculptural elegance. Standing at 48 inches tall, the s...
Category
19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Early 19th century brass surveyor's level with compass
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century brass surveyor's level with telescope, compass and spirit level.
With original brass mounted pine case.
Telescope length: 18 1/4 inches. - 46.5 cm.
Fitting for tripod mount, now re-mounted on a modern brass plate for desk top display.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
$1,207 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Map of South Africa by Lowry, 1852
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'South Africa'. Two individual sheets of South Africa. This map originates from 'Lowry's table Atlas constructed and engraved from the most recent authorities' by ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$142 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Map of Italy and Neighboring Regions by Delamarche – Antique Map, c.1800
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Map of Italy and Surrounding Regions by Delamarche, circa 1800
This elegant and detailed antique map titled Carte Générale de l’Italie was drawn and engraved by the French g...
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Elizabeth the Queen Mother : a Twentieth Century Life by Grania Forbes Hardcover
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elizabeth, the Queen Mother : A Twentieth Century Life by Grania Forbes.
Elizabeth, the Queen Mother is a celebration of the life of the nation''s most t...
Category
Late 20th Century British Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique Vineyard Setter's Compass, French, Brass, Surveyor's Instrument, C.1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique vineyard setter's compass. A French, brass surveyor's instrument with mahogany case and stand, dating to the late Victorian period, c...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Eamon Ore-Giron Competing with Lightning
Located in New York, NY
Author Miranda Lash and C. Ondine Chavoya and Jace Clayton
The first book on artist, musician, and DJ Eamon Ore-Giron who mines the complex nature of Latinx...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$55 / item
1842 The Knights Templars 2nd Edition London
Located in Stamford, CT
The Knights Templars of the Inner Temple by Charles G. Addison 1842 2nd Edition. London, England.
Original red leather binding in original condition.
Category
1840s British Neoclassical Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
Brass Lorgnettes 'Long-Handled Opera Glasses' Mid-Century Italian Design 1930s
Located in Palermo, IT
A splendid pair of 'lorgnettes' (long-handled opera, or theatre, glasses). Lorgnettes, eye glasses held in place by long handles rather than resting on the bridge of one's nose, were...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
$456 Sale Price
20% Off
Late 19th century oak dinner gong
Located in Cheshire, GB
late 19th-century oak framed dinner gong the arched top with turned supports surrounding the original brass gong. To the openwork stretcher with scrolling decoration, on trestle base...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Antiques At Home by Barbara Milo Ohrbach, Stated First Edition
By Barbara Milo Ohrbach
Located in valatie, NY
Antiques At Home by Barbara Milo Ohrbach. New York: Clarkson N. Potter, Inc. Publishers, 1989. Stated first edition hardcover with dust jacket. 246 pp. Guid...
Category
20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Walt Disney's Donald Duck. The Ultimate History. Limited Edition book & prints
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nothing succeeds like success, as the saying goes, but in the case of Donald Duck the opposite is true: the candor with which Donald reveals his weaknesses wins our hearts and stays ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
Johann GOETHE - Faust - LIMITED EDITION - SIGNED BY WILLY POGANY !
Located in Hillsborough, NJ
AUTHOR: GOETHE, Johann Wolfgang von - Willy Pogany.
TITLE: Faust.
PUBLISHER: London: Hutchinson & Co., 1908.
DESCRIPTION: LIMITED EDITION SIGNED BY POGANY. 1 vol., 10-15/16" x 9"...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell 1964
Located in Bradenton, FL
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. Hardcover book with dustjacket, published by Macmillan Publishing Company of New York in 1964. Printed in the United States of America, 1037 ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Diminutive 19th C Globe on Stand by Rand McNally
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional antique globe on stand, by Rand McNally.
The 6” diameter globe is supported by the half circle brass meridian, which is mounted t...
Category
19th Century American Campaign Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Celtic Illuminative Art by Rev. Stanford F.H. Robinson, '1908'
Located in Langweer, NL
'Celtic Illuminative Art in the gospel books of Durrow, Lindisfarne, and Kells' by the Rev. Stanford F.H. Robinson, M.A. Published 1908. 51 plates, eac...
Category
20th Century Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$522 Sale Price
20% Off
Rider's British Merlin 1726; Adorned with many delightful Varieties and Useful.
Located in Middletown, NY
A precursor of Benjamin Franklin's famous and popular POOR RICHARD's ALMANAC
Rider, Cardanus
Rider's (1726) British Merlin; Adorned with many delightful Varieties and Useful Veritie...
Category
Early 18th Century English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century Wood Bowl Ship's Compass by Samuel Thaxter of Boston
Located in Norwell, MA
Early nineteenth-century wood bowl ship's compass by Samuel Thaxter & Son of 125 State Street, Boston. With strap gimbal and is fitted to a dovetailed timber box with its original li...
Category
1850s North American Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Era Eko Vox Teardrop Mark 6 Hollow Body 6 String Electric Guitar
By VOX
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Mid-Century era semi-hollow body teardrop guitar was made by EKO of Italy for VOX in approximately 1967 and done in the period style. The model is not indicated anywhere on the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Dunhill Mid-Century Modern Chrome Stylized Sabre Jet Airplane Table Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This chrome table lighter was made by the renowned Alfred Dunhill Company of England and dates to 1960 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The lighter is made in the lik...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Fine Pair Golden Guilloche Enamel and Mother of Pearl Opera Glasses, c.1910
Located in Bath, GB
Pretty as a picture and in outstanding condition, this lovely pair of early twentieth century opera glasses come complete with their original case (wear commensurate with age).
Th...
Category
1910s French Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Collectible Vintage Baccarat Crystal Noel 1984 Ornament with Box
By Baccarat
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Collectible Baccarat Crystal Noel 1984 Ornament Signed Baccarat Crystal Ornament 1984, with Box.
Vintage Crystal Glass Christmas Tree in original Box. Highly collectible from year 1984, Made in France.
Hand made in France. Comes with traditional red Baccarat...
Category
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Crystal
18th Century Giltwood All Seeing Eye of God Devotional Gold Sunburst
Located in Hastings, GB
An incredible and very rare late 18th century Italian giltwood sunburst, with the All Seeing Eye of God to the centre surrounded by a formation of clouds, in beautiful time worn cond...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gesso, Wood
Art Deco Styled Chrome Lighted Airplane Smoker's Ashtray Stand or Accent Table
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very unique lighted smoker's stand is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in North America, likely the United States, in approximately 1950 in an Art Deco style. This smoke...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Soldier Head
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Soldier Head
A rare antique handcarved wooden tobacco pipe with a fine carved soldier head as pipe head. The head features a Confederated or a Union soldier. The pipe is executed in Germany ca. 1880. A great addition to every tobacciana collection. Good condition with a small repair on the hat brim.
The tradition of wood carving, using manual skills to make everyday objects and fine art sculptures, is found throughout Europe. The incentive to create not only useful but also aesthetically beautiful things, distinguishes the craftsman from the artist. In addition to the well-known Swiss wood...
Category
Late 19th Century German Black Forest Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Victorian Child's Baby Doll Pet Cradle Brass Bed
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian Child's Baby Doll Pet Cradle Brass Bed. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 15" W x 29" D.
Category
19th Century Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Michigan State Spartans Football 1952 Calendar
Located in Garnerville, NY
Straight from the Spartan alumnus and their estate. Graduating in 1952 in Graphic Arts, he was a rabid sports fan. This calendar was procured from his study. Green graphics on heavie...
Category
1950s American Sporting Art Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
$300 Sale Price
20% Off
English Lignum Vitae Lawn Bowls
Located in Winter Park, FL
A set of nine early 20th Century English lawn bowls, made of solid turned lignum vitae wood. Each ball with natural light and dark grain pattern, carved incised rings and inlaid bone...
Category
Early 20th Century British Victorian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bone, Hardwood
Original Antique Map of South East Asia by Thomas Clerk, 1817
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great map of South East Asia
Copper-plate engraving
Drawn and engraved by Thomas Clerk, Edinburgh.
Published by Mackenzie And Dent, 1817
Unframed.
Category
1810s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century White-Grey French Pinewood Model Pavilion, Antique Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, white-grey antique French miniature model of a Palladio style gazebo with a domed roof and topped with a small urn shaped finial, columns and circular base. The detai...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pine
Walking stick, rock crystal, by Leopold van Strydonk, Brussels, Belgium 1900.
By L. Van Strydonck
Located in Milan, IT
Walking stick: jewel walking stick, rock crystal knob, spherical in shape, caged by intertwined bands made of gilded silver with garnet cabochons. Snakewood shaft. Metal and iron fe...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Rock Crystal, Metal, Silver, Iron
Wide Body Future Spa Pinball Machine by Bally
By Bally
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Serviced and fully working 1979 Future Spa pinball machine. Backglass-Art by Paul Faris, Playfield-Art by Dave Christensen.
-- Everything is in working order
-- Backglass in exce...
Category
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood
Original Antique Map of the American State of Maine, 1903
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Antique map of Maine
Published By A & C Black. 1903
Original colour
Good condition
Unframed.
Free shipping
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage graduated Amethyst Necklace
Located in London, GB
Vintage graduated Amethyst Necklace
A Very fine Vintage Amethyst Necklace made from graduated beads interspersed with small gold plated meta...
Category
Late 20th Century Indian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Amethyst
Modern 'Magma' Tennis Table made in Granite, Brass and Wood by Andrea Zambelli
Located in Milan, IT
The table, named after its absolute black granite playing surface of magmatic origin, is specifically designed for outdoor use. Each of its components has been conceived and treated ...
Category
2010s Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Granite, Brass
Antique and Vintage Collectibles and Curiosities for Sale
Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior.
Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world.
And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.
The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.
Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.
Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.
Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.
Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.
Read More
Medal-Worthy Memorabilia from Epic Past Olympic Games
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This
French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.
Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.
Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure
Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.
Whaam! Blam! Pow! — a New Book on Pop Art Packs a Punch
Publishing house Assouline and writer Julie Belcove have teamed up to trace the history of the genre, from Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama to Mickalene Thomas and Jeff Koons.
What Makes a Gem-Encrusted Chess Set Worth $4 Million?
The world’s most opulent chess set, weighing in at 513 carats, is literally fit for a king and queen.
Tauba Auerbach’s Geometric Pop-Up Book Is Mighty Rare, Thanks to a Hurricane
This sculptural art book has an epic backstory of its own.